Windows 7 Media player will not play back BluRay disc's

I'm also disappointed about lack of Blu-Ray support in Windows 7.

What is the difference between paying MS $30 for a Blu-Ray lic or buy an aftermarket app for $30?

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James Wolf MS-MVP [Media Center]

I would have nothing against third party players, if they didn't install their own drivers, services and codecs and mess up the system.

Every company that makes a standalone BluRay player bought the rights to use the technology, as did every (legitimate) company that makes a BluRay movie playing software. The costs for these license is recovered by the company when they sell you the player/software. Microsoft could, of course, also by the rights to include native BluRay movie support, but they would then have to pass on the cost to you. In your case, this would probably be fine, but think about all the people that don't watch BluRay movies on their PCs... BluRay drives are still rare to find in computers, and even those who have BluRay hardware, don't always want to watch movies on their computer. Why should they pay $20 for Windows for a "feature" they never use? Unfortunately you are in the minority at present. As soon as that changes (meaning that a significant portion of Windows purchasers have the hardware ability and desire to play BluRay movies), you can bet support will come with Windows.

The license is not "so cheap" and, in addition, why should millions of people pay for a bluray license they don't use? Because a bunch of spoiled brats feel that they should?

Just seems funny that MS decides for licensing/economic reasons not to force someone to pay for something they may never use and people jump all over them, but when they include stuff that not everyone wants to use, the same people jump all over them for "bundling" stuff they don't want.

Yep, the costs. That's why people have a choice, which edition of Windows 7 to buy. Of course, it's pointless to include blu-ray support in Home Basic, because people who buy Home Basic pay lower cost for base functionality. But people who buy Ultimate can afford additional cost for maximum feature set, so blu-ray support could be included in Ultimate Edition for sure.

If you bought a new Sony computer with the BluRay drive built in and Sony did not include a BluRay player, then you need to call Sony and ask them why.

If you bought a BluRay drive yourself and installed it, then it either should have included the application/codec or you bought an OEM one and you need to purchase the necessary software.

BTW, no BluRay support native to Apple Macs either, so you would stll be out of luck.

James Wolf MS-MVP [Media Center]